(RNS) — There is a moment in Steven Spielberg’s masterful new film “Lincoln” when the 16th president asks the kind of big question usually tackled by religion: Why are we here? “Do you think we choose the times into which we…
Episcopal leader: South Carolina diocese can't secede
(RNS) — Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Nov. 15 that the Diocese of South Carolina can’t unilaterally secede from the national church, and urged conservatives to stay despite sharp disputes over theology and homosexuality. “The Episcopal Diocese of South…
Kenyan church leaders say laws would weaken marriage
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Kenyan church leaders are lining up in opposition to proposed new marriage bills, which they say will weaken marriage by allowing cohabitating couples to register as married. One bill would bring Christian, Hindu, Muslim, civil and customary…
Church of England rejects women bishops
LONDON (RNS) — In a surprise move that shocked both sides of a years-long debate, the Church of England Nov. 20 rejected an expected move to allow women bishops, preserving the church’s status as one of the last bastions of…
New Congress more religiously diverse, less Protestant
(RNS) — Three Buddhists, a Hindu and a “none” will walk into the 113th Congress, and it’s no joke. Rather, it’s a series of “firsts” that reflect the growing religious diversity of the country. When the new Congress is sworn in…
Judge defends sentencing teenager to church
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (RNS) — A district judge in Oklahoma who sentenced a 17-year-old boy to 10 years of church attendance is standing by his sentence as the right thing to do — even if it may not have been the…
#GivingTuesday event aims to boost charities
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (RNS) — In the days following Thanksgiving, there’s already Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday shopping season. Now, a group of charities and corporate sponsors is urging Americans to make the…
Nunes blogs to promote '#GivingTuesday,' LWR Gifts
Americans have a day for giving thanks, followed by two for getting deals: “Black Friday” on Nov. 23 and “Cyber Monday” on Nov. 26. Wouldn’t it be great to have a day for giving back? This year a group of charities and…
LCMS coordinates long-term recovery following Superstorm Sandy
By Megan K. Mertz “The living room portion of our house had been blown away,” said the Rev. Alan Steinke, recounting his first look at his Massapequa, N.Y., home after Superstorm Sandy pounded the Eastern Seaboard on Oct. 29. Steinke,…
Young Adult Ministry website gets new look
The LCMS Young Adult Ministry website, www.lcmsyam.org, has a new look and a number of new features. Jessica Bordeleau, a consultant for LCMS Young Adult Ministry (which is with the Synod’s Office of National Mission [ONM]), outlined for Reporter how…
Conference addresses rural challenges, opportunities
By James H. Heine STORM LAKE, Iowa — Perhaps it’s generational, but when many of us think of the heartland — of Iowa, for example — the image that comes to mind is one of rural tranquility: 4-H projects, county and…
Convention Corner (December 2012)
With Barbara A. Below The 2013 LCMS Convention presents an opportunity for individuals, congregations and organizations to gather a special offering in support of our work together as the Synod. The 2013 National Offering theme, “Together As Synod,”…
Letters to the Editor (December 2012)
Quoting from NIV At the end of your Page 4 October article with the headline of “2011 NIV gender-neutral language a ‘serious weakness’” was this editor’s note: “A recent conversation with the publisher of NIV [New International Version] confirmed that…
Official notice: LCMS district audits (December 2012)
The audits and summary budgets of the Synod’s 35 districts have been completed and are available upon written request. Write or contact your district office directly. The address of each district is published in The Lutheran Annual. Posted Nov. 19,…
Official notice: audits for LCEF, LCMS Foundation (December 2012)
The audits and summary budgets of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Foundation have been completed and are available upon written request. Please direct your request to: Lutheran Church Extension Fund Sunset Corporate Center 10733 Sunset Office Drive St.…
Official notice: Concordia University, Nebraska, accreditation (December 2012)
The College of Education at Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward, Neb., is hosting an accreditation visit by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) April 14-16, 2013. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the visiting team.…
